Volume 14 - Issue 10 | October 2026 | | |
Tuesday, October 6 at 6:30pm
Planning ahead is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can offer your loved ones. In this workshop, Sarah Gladstone, Death Doula and End-of-Life Planner, will guide you through the basic steps of documenting your wishes and understanding your options. Whether you're planning for yourself or supporting a family member, this workshop provides practical tools and a compassionate space to get started.
During this workshop, we’ll explore: Advance Directives,
The role of the Health Care Agent, How to start the conversation with your loved ones, Ways a Death Doula can support individuals and families in their planning
Participants can expect a short presentation, Q&A, and take-home materials to begin their planning. Documenting your wishes offers peace of mind and gives your loved ones clarity about what matters most to you.
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Community Art and Craft Supply Swap
Saturday, October 24 from 10am-12pm
Do you have craft supplies you no longer need? Want to start a new hobby without investing money? Come by our Community Art Supply Swap and exchange items for something new to try.
Pass along supplies, grab some for free, and keep them out of the landfill!
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Silent Film w/ Live Accompaniment
Wednesday, October 21 at 6:30pm
Join us for a silent film program with live music played by Jeff Rapsis, a New Hampshire-based composer who specializes in creating music for silent films.
The screening of 'The Cat and the Canary', one of the original movie thrillers, will use a fully restored print that shows the film as audiences would have originally experienced it.
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The Librarians Documentary Screening
Wednesday, October 7 at 6pm
Join us for a screening of the award-winning documentary, "The Librarians".
As an unprecedented wave of book banning is sparked in Texas, Florida, and beyond, librarians under siege join forces as unlikely defenders fighting for intellectual freedom on the front lines of democracy, flanked by concerned community members and young readers. "The Librarians" is a chilling cautionary tale and rallying cry for freedom – told through the personal experiences of these individuals who joined ranks in defense of the books.
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Qigong & Tai Chi Session 2
Thursdays - October 29; November 5 & 12
all at 6:30pm
Join us for a three class session of Qigong & Tai Chi with Sholeh from Body and Brain.
Each session combines elements from a variety of Eastern practices to enhance your physical, mental and spiritual health. Body & Brain maximizes the benefits from your physical exercise by developing your ability to use mindful breathing and relaxed concentration.
When you sign up for one of these classes, you will be signed up for all three (no need to go to all three dates, just the Oct. 29th date)
And please ONLY sign up for Session 2 if you weren't signed up for Session 1 to give everyone a chance to learn! Thank you!!
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Want to be part of a Human Library?!
We are excited to host a Human Library (anticipated Spring 2027), a program where instead of checking out a traditional book, participants have the opportunity to have a conversation with someone whose life experiences, background, or perspective may be different from their own.
And so, we're looking for people who are willing to share their experiences and have open, respectful conversations with your fellow members of the community. There is more information and a form to indicate your willingness at the link below.
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New Parents
Saturday, October 10 at 10am
Are you a new (or new-ish) parent? Join us with your little ones, for a relaxed monthly meet-up designed for parents of youngsters up to 18 months old. Connect with others in the community, share experiences, and build your support network in a friendly, welcoming space. We'll provide coffee and refreshments for parents to enjoy while your babies explore toys and books we'll have available for them. Registration is requested but not required.
Please email any questions to Shelby Downie: sdownie@nevinslibrary.org. This program is part of our "Growing Readers" initiative, generously supported by the Castle Fund of Methuen.
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Books and Brews
Wednesday, October 21 at 6:30pm
Books & Brews is a social book club for readers in their twenties and thirties, and the young at heart.
The Nevins Library is partnering with the Sandtrap Bar & Grille to discuss good books over good brews with great company! For this meeting we will discuss any non-fiction book you have read. So, bring your book, bring your thoughts and join us for a drink! If you're planning to grab a bite to eat please join us at 6:30 to order food and get to know each other, book discussion will begin around 7pm.
Sandtrap Bar & Grille | 210 Howe Street, Methuen
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October Library Hours
The Nevins Library will be closed on Monday, October 12 for Columbus Day/Indigenous People’s Day.
The Library will also be closed in the morning on Thursday, October 15 as we are hosting a Naturalization Ceremony. We will open to the public at 1pm on that day.
The Library is closing at 5pm on Wednesday, October 28 for our annual Staff Appreciation Dinner.
| | | Friends Fundraisers & News | |
Friends' Annual Meeting & More
The Friends will hold their Annual Meeting on Monday, October 5 at 6:30pm. At this meeting, a new Executive Board will be voted in. We invite all members to this meeting to vote and celebrate the incoming Board! The Nevins Library extends its gratitude to the long-serving dedicated members leaving the Board.
The Friends are also holding a fundraiser at The Chateau in Andover. Stop in and eat or grab some take-out on Wednesday, October 14, make sure they know you’re there to support the Friends of the Nevins Library, and the Chateau will donate a portion of your bill to the Friends! Go to the link below, or visit a service desk for more information.
| | | Building Confidence Through Clown | |
If you're a teen or tween who is learning English, and wants to practice in a non-judgmental space, come to Building Confidence through Clown Friday, October 9 and Friday, October 23, at 3pm. Build communication skills and confidence speaking English through interactive activities inspired by clown and improvisation. Come join this supportive community of English Language Learners to play ice breaker games and participate in team-building activities, all designed to help participants practice English in a safe and non-judgmental environment.
Do you need volunteer hours, or just want something to do to help your community? The Teen Services Department is seeking volunteers to help with the Haunted Woods attraction, which is taking place Friday, October 16. Please email the teen services department at nevinsteens@nevinslibrary.org if you are interested in having fun while helping out
Our handles:
Instagram: @nevinslibraryya
TikTok Address: @nevinslibrary
Twitter: @NMLTeenTweets
YouTube: Nevins Library
Pinterest: @nevinsmemoriallibrary
| | | What's Happening in Youth Services? | | Who's Ready for Halloween?!! | |
We’re settling into our school-year routine now, enjoying our variety of storytimes and programs for kids of all ages -- but we also have some special programs to offer this month, including our annual offsite bilingual program at the Methuen Music Hall, where stories are set to music from the Music Hall’s famous organ.
October brings special Halloween programs, too: Once again this year we’ll have a Haunted Woods event, where kids can take a tour through our spooky woods and enjoy Halloween games and crafts. (Some parts of the program will be scarier than others, for kids who enjoy different levels of spookiness.) And your littlest ones won’t want to miss our annual Halloween Happenings program – dress up your kids (ages infant-5) in their costumes, and bring them to the library for Halloween stories and trick-or-treating throughout the building. New this year, and not to be missed, is a (not scary) Family-Friendly Ghost Hunt where kids will learn about ghosts and use real ghost-hunting tools to search for spirits in the library!
We’re also bringing back some old favorites this month: Donuts with Grown-Ups, Sprouting Scientists, Book Bonding and Page Turners book groups, Beads & Baubles, History Unlocked, Story Solvers, and Slime of the Month – plus teens’ anime, gaming, and arts & crafts clubs as well as Book Babble. And Murphy the Dog is back, too! Keep an eye on the Youth Services calendar and Facebook page to check the dates for these programs and to learn the latest about other upcoming programs, fundraisers, and special events – there’s always something interesting going on!
Happy October, and Happy Reading!
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